Shards of Ankh

Chapter Sixteen

"Thea--there you are."

"Sorry, sorry," Thea replied quickly, rushing over to the work station where Ahmed was already positioned. "I'm late--I'm really really late. I know."

"It's fine," Ahmed told her, eyeing her suspiciously as she rushed back and forth to get ready for the day. It wasn't until she was settled, seated across from him ready to work, did he continue speaking. "Thea--may I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Do you consider me--a friend?"

Thea blinked, surprised. "Well, yes, Ahmed, I do, actually. We haven't known each other for that long, and we've had some bumps, but I think we have the makings of a friendship, yes."

"Do you trust me?"

Now Thea rose her eyebrow, starting to become mildly alarmed. "Yes..."

Ahmed took the pot and turned it so the side that had been facing him was now facing her. He pointed to it. "Do you remember this being here?"

Thea adjusted her glasses and leaned in, squinting. At just a glance, Thea did not recognize this part of the vase. Quickly Thea opened her notes, and was further baffled. Right there, in her own handwriting, were notes regarding Ankh having a meal, seated opposite of a woman. Thea's brow furrowed, and she frantically flipped through her notes. Finally she rose her head, looking baffled at Ahmed.

Her friend looked at her evenly. "Be honest with me, Thea. Was this drawing here yesterday?"

"I..." Thea opened her mouth to reply, but found she couldn't get the words out.

"Because I don't remember it." Ahmed swiveled his laptop around to show her his own notes. "Yet here both our notes speak of this description."

Thea read and re-read Ahmed's notes over and over. Finally, a trembling hand went to her mouth. Ahmed leaned forward, still serious.

"What did you dream about last night?"

Thea was deeply shaken. Without fully meaning to, she stumbled backwards. Thea swallowed several times, willing away the painful lump that had formed. She dare not blink least tears be released into the world.

"Thea--what did you dream about?"

"I dreamed about having dinner with Ankh," she replied, eyes locked now onto the vase. "and then I stayed the night, and in the morning our breakfast was interrupted by a man stumbling in. He had been stabbed."

Ahmed, to prove his point, turned the vase again with gloved hands. The other side detailed what had happened in the morning, the stabbed man. Thea slumped down heavily in the stool. For what seemed like an eternity she sat, gawking at the vase, her dreams replying in her mind like a movie. Finally she looked at Ahmed. When she spoke, her voice shook.

"Did you do this Ahmed?"

He looked surprised. "What?"

"Is this some kind of sick joke?"

Ahmed put his hand to his chest. "Thea--I would never--"

Thea got to her feet, glaring daggers. "Do you think it's funny to make me feel like I'm going crazy?"

"No!" Ahmed said desperately. "I feel like I'm going crazy as well! That's why I asked if you considered yourself my friend. When I came in this morning and saw--saw--that--I needed to know if I could trust you."

Thea spied him. He seemed genuine. Thea's shoulders slumped and she felt horrible. "I'm sorry Ahmed."

"It's quite alright," he replied. "I just...This is insanity. There has to be some sort of sorcery at play."

"Sorcery?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes--a curse or something."

Now Thea laughed. "A curse?"

"How else would you explain this?" Ahmed shouted, now sounding completely panicked.

Thea got to her feet. "Alright, Ahmed, both of us panicking isn't going to help anything."

Ahmed said nothing, though didn't look any less calm. Thea began to pace back and forth, hand on her chin. "There has to be some sort of logical, reasonable explanation--"

"Thea! How would I have any idea what you dreamed, even if I did paint the vases? You told a part of your dream that was on the vase that you hadn't seen yet, and when I turned it to you, it was there!"

"I know!" Thea shouted now, whipping around to face him. She put her arms to her side, speaking calmly. "I know, Ahmed."

Ahmed paused before he spoke. "What are we going to do?"

"I don't--I don't know."

"Should we ask for the project to be stopped?"

Thea laughed. "And tell them what!?"

"I don't know," Ahmed replied, sounding defeated.

"I mean, I doubt stopping the project would even do anything. I can't stop myself from sleeping."

"Maybe...Maybe we just have to see this through," Ahmed said carefully. "Maybe...maybe what you're doing really is changing history."

"But why? Maybe more importantly, how?"

"Well," he scoffed, crossing his arms, "you laughed at my curse idea, so."

"You know as well as I do Egyptian curses don't really exist."

Ahmed arched a thin eyebrow. "What you're dreaming appears to be affecting reality. What else would you call it?"

Thea fell silent. For a long time neither said anything. Then, with a drawn out sigh, Thea lowered her head. "Go home, Ahmed."

He looked surprised. "Thea--"

Thea lifted her head and looked at him. "I said go home, Ahmed!"

Now he looked hurt. "Why?"

"I just... I need to think."

Sadly Ahmed began to pack up his things. Thea came around to him, putting a hand on his arm. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap. I'll be going home, too."

Ahmed arched his dark eyebrow.

"I have... A theory I would like to test."

~

Thea opened her eyes. Sure enough she was back in the room Ankh had provided for her. And sure enough, she found him easily. Surprising even herself, Thea rushed to him. She was going to hug him, but his posted guards stopped her, alarmed by her quick approach.

"Sorry," she said, wincing at the spears that were made an 'x' in front of him.

Ankh rose to his feet, holding out his hand. "It's alright - - let her through."

As soon as the guards moved,, Thea threw herself into Ankh's arms. For a moment he was too surprised to react. She was relieved when he returned the hug.

"Thea, you're trembling. What's going on."

Thea pulled away. "I'm not sure, but I need a favor from you."